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Workers’ Compensation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Workers Compensation Lawyer District Heights, MD

There are certain injuries at a workplace that can seem like obvious on-the-job injuries. For example, if you were hurt operating heavy machinery or a sharp object injured you, it might seem obvious where your injury came from. However, there are other repetitive stress injuries (RSI) like carpal tunnel that are becoming increasingly more common. While you may wonder if you can file a lawsuit to get compensation for your injuries, it is not usually allowed. However, there are workers’ compensation benefits put in place to help employees after sustaining a work-related injury.

What is a Repetitive Stress Injury Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

CTS is caused when there is a compression on the nerves and tendons that you use to flex and move your fingers, causing pain to reach down to your wrists. The “tunnel” from your fingers to your wrists is very small, so even the tiniest amount of pressure and swelling can cause your tendons or nerves to become compressed. When this happens, you may suffer from symptoms like:

Numbness

Pain

Immobility

Weakness

While some employers might make the argument that there are other factors contributing to your carpal tunnel syndrome, it is a common sign of overusing certain muscles and conducting repetitive movements, specifically in your wrists or hands.

What Workplace Activities Can Cause it?

There are many workplace activities that can cause these types of repetitive motion tasks that lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

Moving a crank

Typing or clicking a keyboard or mouse

Pushing a cart

Slicing food

Using a cash register

What are the Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Depending on the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need surgery to heal. There are a few other means for treating it, including steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, chiropractic movements, and splinting. When getting your carpal tunnel treated with the help of a medical professional, it is important to tell your doctor that you are coming in to have an injury evaluated that your workplace caused and get them to document anything they do regarding your injury. They should document your diagnosis and the forms of treatment they recommend and employ to heal you.

Determining If It Is a Workplace Injury

The burden of proof will be on you and your attorney to prove that your carpal tunnel syndrome was a direct result of a workplace injury or if it is a non-workplace injury. If for example, you had carpal tunnel syndrome before you took this job and it was simply aggravated by work, you likely will not have a strong case. Additionally, if you hold a second job and it requires repetitive motions that caused your injury, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer could argue that you were injured outside of work at your second job.

How Can I Make a Claim?

When filing for workers’ compensation, it is imperative that you gather the necessary documents, get your injury looked at by a medical professional, and file on time. Having a workers compensation lawyer District Heights, MD trusts at Cohen & Cohen, PC with experience in workers’ compensation benefits and work-related injuries can also be a great asset to your claim. For more information on how you can get workers’ compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome, speak with an attorney.